2006 Netherlands Holidays

1 Jan -  New Year's Day

14 Apr - Good Friday

16-17 Apr - Easter Holiday

30 Apr - Queen's Day

Throughout the Netherlands, the Dutch celebrate the (previous) Queen's birthday, known as Queen's Day, with a full-on party. Boosted by the arrival of over a million people, Amsterdam holds an internationally-renowned street party, which goes on through the night until the evening of the next day.

5 May - Liberation Day

25 May - Ascension Day

5 Jun - Whitmonday

25-26 Dec - Christmas Holiday

Amsterdam Events

28 Feb-5 March - HISWA

True boat lovers will feel like a fish in water during the six-day HISWA 2006 in the RAI, where four hundred exhibitors present their latest products for the coming water sports season. The HISWA 2006 does not only feature hundreds of boats in all shapes and sizes, but also thousands of accessories for you to admire. Moreover, you are introduced to exotic sail vacations, new sailing areas and the latest water sports outfits.

20-23 April - Jumping Amsterdam

At Jumping Amsterdam, the best horsemen in the world display their talents on the field of dressage, jumping and driving. In between the competitions, the public is entertained through performances by various artists and spectacular shows. There are also many food venues and shopping facilities for the entire family. The event is concluded with a dressage gala with shows and a wide variety of activities.

2-25 June - Holland Festival

The Holland Festival is the biggest arts event in the Dutch calendar and fills Amsterdam with culture for more than three weeks. Performances take place at the new modern music venue Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and many other principal concert halls and theatres.

17-19 June - Hidden Gardens

Discover hidden beauty along Amsterdam's canals as around 20 gardens between Brouwersgracht and the Amstel River open to the public for the weekend.

4-7 Aug - Amsterdam Pride

Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest gay and lesbian festivals in Europe. The Dutch gay community is renowned for going overboard during Pride weekend and, as always, visitors can see the world-famous Canal Parade, a fantastic floating display of around 80 garishly decorated boats bursting with music and colour.

6 Aug - Canal Parade & White Party

The spectacular Canal Parade passes down Amsterdam's main canals each year as part of the Amsterdam Pride celebrations.

After a hard day's partying along the canals for Amsterdam Pride's Canal Parade, keep on dancing at the popular White Party at the Power Zone. You guessed it - the dress code is simple and of one colour only...

17-21 Aug - Canal Festival

The annual Amsterdam Canal Festival, the Grachtenfestival, offers classical music concerts along two of the city's main canals. Five days of indoor and outdoor performances culminate with the Prinsengracht concert, held on a floating stage in front of Hotel Pulitzer.